Jaguar XF

Jaguar XF 2.7D V6 Luxury
Price: 33,900 (equivalent 3.0D model - 2.7D now off sale)
Target price: 31,444
Run by: Roger Stansfield
Tested for: 10 months/15,500 miles

You'll have noticed the words 'Now off sale' where we usually give the list price in the panel above. In fact, our XF has been 'off sale' for five months, its 2.7-litre V6 diesel engine having been supplanted by a 3.0-litre V6.

Normally, I'd have been spitting teeth about seeing a new car outmoded so soon after launch, but actually I was stoical about it. I knew a change was on the cards when I ordered my car, but impatience got the better of me, and I'm glad I didn't wait. It meant I had the Jag for some memorable European driving jaunts late last year and early this year.

I recently had a chance to try the 3.0-litre diesel XF, though, and it's certainly eradicated the two minor gripes I have with the 2.7. Pick-up is now a shade more instantaneous without a downshift in the six-speed automatic gearbox, and take-off from standstill is noticeably sharper.

I don't suppose buyers will be upset by the reduction of four bands in the car's company car tax rating, either, especially as there's been no increase in list price. None of this makes the 2.7 any worse in my eyes: it just makes the 3.0 all the more impressive.
Roger.Stansfield@haymarket.com

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